If you read my FIRST post, I started in with BARRING SERIOUS MEDICAL PROBLEMS............"
Genetics probably play a part in obesity in the PROCLIVITY to having thyroid problems, other medical problems, etc. Genetics = proclivity.
Genetics are not our destiny.
We have free will and backbone to deal with the proclivities of genetics.
Alcoholism, addictions, energy levels, etc., can be traced to genetic proclivities. But to blame sloth and gluttony and morbid obesity on GENETICS is simply denying our humanity, our free will and our ability to change.
That goes to character, which is NOT genetic.
You are not unique. Humans have been searching for the magic pill throughout human history. They have bought pills, potions, medicines, snake oil, ointments, herbs, charms, devices, voodoo dolls, you name it, all promises of getting SOMETHING for nothing.
There have been unscrupulous salespeople selling these magic things since the beginning of humanity to people who want things....the easy way. The diet industry is a multi-billion dollar industry because people are promised slimness with just a few weeks of something easy to do or eat.
You wait for modern medicine to take away ALL the blame from you and tell you "It's not your fault that you eat WAY too much and WON'T exercise. It's genetics. You can't help it."
The problem is that even if it were genetics, then what? You will want the cure to come from medicine and STILL not control your appetite or do exercise. You will want medicine to find a cure for your sloth and gluttony.
What if the doctors say, "It's genetics. It's not your fault, but we have no cure for the genetics. You will have to eat LESS food and exercise more"???
Then what? Will you demand a medical remedy? What if there is none? What then? Will you stay obese, have a terrible quality of life, make your family and friends miserable and die too young? Or will you change?
Sooner or later, the buck stops with you. But, you know that, I think.
"If you read my FIRST post, I started in with BARRING SERIOUS MEDICAL PROBLEMS............"
But you are also barring an as-yet undiscovered medical cause. Undiscovered at least in part because the medical community shares your attitude, and refuses to look.
"But to blame sloth and gluttony"
There you go again.
"You wait for modern medicine to take away ALL the blame from you and tell you "It's not your fault that you eat WAY too much and WON'T exercise."
Now, see, you are making a moral judgement based on assumptions about how much people eat. It would be better to be careful about that.
I used to be a national-level athlete (one silver) in a very active sport, decades ago. I've been sensitive to what I eat and how much I exercise for decades.
"The problem is that even if it were genetics, then what?"
Genetics sometimes plays a role. However, what is fast becoming a worldwide pandemic of obesity has microbial causes. It's infectious, and it's spreading a lot like AIDS did.
"What if the doctors say, "It's genetics. It's not your fault, but we have no cure for the genetics. You will have to eat LESS food and exercise more"???
A lot of people get told, "You can't exercise, and if you reduce your food intake you'll start suffering symptoms of malnutrition. But it's still your fault, because we insist that all fatties are slothful and gluttonous. And no, we're not going to look for a reason for the explosion of obesity in Japan and other countries."
"Sooner or later, the buck stops with you. But, you know that, I think."
Sooner or later, some maverick medico is going to discover why people can't maintain a normmal weight on a normal diet and normal amount of exercise. And it's going to be one or more (probably several) bacteria and/or viri.